Virtual Visits: From our Couch to Yours

Telemedicine isn’t new, but it’s being utilized more than ever during this stressful time of quarantine due to COVID-19.  While virtual visits aren’t the answer to every medical problem, you might be surprised to learn many conditions can be treated effectively from the comfort of your couch.

“Virtual visits allow us to address patient health concerns safely and effectively from the comfort of their home,” said Dr. Christine Albrecht, Family Medicine Provider at Lakewood. “Life doesn’t stop because of COVID-19 and this is a wonderful alternative to in-person visits for a variety of medical conditions.”

But what if you’ve never done one?  No worries, Lakewood is here to help you every step of the way.

What can a virtual visit at Lakewood include?
Offering another safe and convenient way to receive your healthcare, most visit types can now be seen virtually at Lakewood Health System.  Those visit types include:

• Visits related to primary care and obstetrics
• Questions related to COVID-19
• Chronic disease management
• Wide variety of acute concerns: Fever, sore throat, cold symptoms, cough, etc.
• Mental health concerns: Anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping
• Contraception/birth control counseling and management
• Discussion and preventative care issues/ healthcare maintenance
• Lifestyle medicine – including diabetic education and tobacco cessation counseling

What can you expect during a virtual visit?
You will receive an email confirmation with instructions for your visit. You can also view your appointment details in MyHealth as you would with any regular appointment. A staff member will reach out to you the day of your appointment to walk through how to sign in to your virtual visit from the comfort of your home. Once signed in, you will be able to talk with your provider over your computer or smartphone. Visits can also be done over the phone for individuals without a computer or smartphone.

During your virtual appointment, your healthcare provider will ask about your concerns and symptoms.  They might also do a visual exam if needed. Sometimes, your provider may recommend you make an appointment for an in-person test or exam, but in many cases, virtual visits can address less pressing health concerns.

A virtual visit is billed the same as an in-person appointment. There may be a co-payment depending on your insurance provider. If during your virtual visit your provider determines you should come in to be seen in person, you will be billed for the in-person visit, not the virtual visit.

How do I schedule a virtual video visit?
You can schedule your virtual visit one of the following ways:

• Call 218-894-1515 and ask to schedule a virtual visit. The scheduler will guide you through the process.
• Message your provider care team via MyHealth requesting a virtual visit.